ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Martin Andersen was searching for a church to join when he came across the website of Experience, a new congregation meeting in town. “There were lots of pictures of happy people, a calendar full of events, cool web features and audio,” he says. “I was impressed.”

But when Andersen visited Experience on Sunday morning, he was surprised to discover “eighteen people gathered in a public school gymnasium.”

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Ever since 81-year-old Mae Hodges bought a used Volvo, “strange-looking people” have been approaching her around town to pay compliments.

“They tell me, ‘Thank you for being a pioneer in our movement,’” Hodges says. “I have no idea what they mean.”

The flow of appreciation began after she started driving the nondescript Volvo wagon, which bears several bumper stickers. One sticker shows a multi-colored flag, another a pink equal sign, both of which Hodges found “very cheery.”

NEW CASTLE, Del. — Sam and Victoria Gutman have always been smart shoppers, but they have gone to another level during the recent recession, buying automobiles, computers and more from distressed owners. “God continues to bless us,” says Sam. “All things really do work for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. We’re living proof.”

Last week they bought a Lexus coupe from a man who lost his job — and pension — when his employer collapsed. “He was weeping when he gave me the keys,” Sam says. “I got that car for a third of what it’s worth. Beautiful leather seats, new tires. God is so good.”

ARCADIA — Cornerstone Community Church got a call from the city of Arcadia last week. The message: Shut down your conference or the city will sue.
“It was completely out of the blue, but they meant it,” says pastor Rob Jones. “The woman on the phone was almost choking with anger.”
It became clear...

LINCOLN, Neb. — For her senior project, Emily Norris, a student at Midwest Bible College, founded a non-profit organization called “Shoot Hoops Not Heroin” aimed at converting hard drug users to amateur sports. The idea was inspired by a class visit to a drug rehab facility.
“I saw the guys there...

TAMPA — Danny Elmore, youth pastor at Living Way church, has grown too big for his britches after substituting for the pastor in the main service last Sunday, according to fellow staff members.
“He’s walking around like he’s some big cheese,” says the Sunday school director, whose...

TOPEKA — Jon and Darla Crocker, who dutifully abstained from sex during their 14-month courtship, have remained abstinent after marriage and plan to do so indefinitely.
“If it was holy before, it must be double-holy afterwards,” Darla says.
They have now completed 25 months of marriage without...

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Several hundred women from local churches met today to start a national campaign to raise awareness about the book of Obadiah, what they call the most ignored book in the Bible.
“We’re very concerned about the way this book is consistently overlooked in Bible studies and from...